Organometallic complexes of estrogens and their application to the determination of hormone receptors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an estrogen complex which consists of an estrogen or an estrogen derivative complexed with an organometallic compound containing at least one free carbonyl ligand, the said estrogen complex containing at least one free hydroxyl radical and no free phenolic hydroxyl radical in the α-position to the site where the organometallic compound is attached. 
     The complexes according to the invention are useful for the determination of hormone receptors.

This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/893,218 filed on Aug. 4, 1986, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 534,093, filed Sept. 20, 1983 both abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Ion a rapidly expanding field such as molecular oragnometallic chemistry, the main applications have hitherto been confined to stoichiometric and catalytic organic syntheses.

The present invention proposes a new field of application for these derivatives of molecular organometallic chemistry, involving, in particular, the detection and determination of hormone receptors.

PRIOR ART

The primary event which initiates the action of most peptide and steroidal hormones and most medicaments consists in their combination with a specific protecin, called a "receptor", located on the cell membrane (in the case of peptide hormones) or in the cytoplasm (in the case of steroidal hormones). Inasmuch as the receptors take part in the action of the biochemical substance or the medicament, it is expected that changes in the concentration of the receptor reflect the state of the illness.

Numerous systems illustrate the correctness of this concept (J. P. Raynaud, T. Ojasoo, M. M. Bouton and D. Philibert, "Drug Design", Volume VIII, Acad. Press (1979), pages 170-214).

For example, in the case of human breast tumors, which is a particular case of hormone-dependent cancers, there are relatively few estrogen receptors in the healthy there are relatively few estrogen receptors in the healthy mammary tissue, but their quantity becomes large in about half of primary breast cancers. A remission rate of 73% has been obtained for patients in which the tumor contains high concentrations of estrogen receptors, whereas a remission rate of only 2% has been observed in the absence thereof (W. L. McGuire, "Hormones and Cancer", Volume 14, Raven Press (1980), pages 337-343).

Until now, essentially for sensitivity reaons, the methods for the determination of receptors have been based on radioisotopic techniques despite their well-known disadvantages (high costs, legal limitations, health risks, limited variety of isotopes which can be used, labeling difficulties, chemical and biochemical instability).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to replace the techniques of radioisotopic labeling of estrogens by labeling with the aid of metal carbonyl complexes, using a unique property of metal carbonyl complexes, namely the existence of a γCO band in the region 1,900-2,000 cm³¹ 1 of the I.R. spectrum, which in fact is just in the "window" left free in proteins.

To do this, the present invention proposes new compounds which an be used, in particular, for detecting and determining hormone receptors and which consist of estrogen complexes containing an estrogen or an estrogen derivative complexed with an organometallic compound possessing at least one free carbonyl ligand, the said estrogen complex containing at least one free hydroxyl radical and no free phenolic hydroxyl radical in the α-position to the site where the organometallic compound is attached.

In the definition of the above compounds, it should be noted that:

the existence of a free hydroxyl radical is essential so that the complex obtained has a reasonable degree of recognition for the specific receptor;

the absence of a phenolic hydroxyl radical in the α-position to the carbon where the organometallic compound is located, that is to say on the carbon adjacent to the latter, is imposed for reasons of stability, and, finally,

the presence of a free carbonyl ligand on the organometallic compound is essential since it is precisely this group which will enable the complex to be detected.

Amongst the estrogens and estrogen derivatives which can be used within the scope of the present invention, the following should be mentioned in particular: estradiol, estrone, 16α-hydroxyestrone, estriol and ethynylestradiol, which are hormonal steroids, as well as non-steroidal estrogens, in particular diphenylethane derivatives and stilbene derivatives, such as diethylstilbestrol and hexestrol.

As indicated above, it is possible to use estrogen derivatives; in particular, it is possible, if necessary, to protect some of the hydroxyl groups in order to improve the stability of the compounds, for example by etherification with silane-type derivatives, for example, or by means of C₁ to C₇ alkoxy groups.

To increase the stability of the compounds, it is also possible to replace a hydroxyl group attached directly to the steroid skeleton by a hydroxylated chain, in particular a preferably C₁ to C₇ hydroxyalkoxy chain.

If derivatives of steroidal estrogens are employed, it will be preferred to use ethers in the 3-position or 17-position and/or hydroxyalkoxy derivatives in the 3-position.

Within the limits of the general definition, it is possible to use, in the compounds according to the invention, an organometallic compound of any type, in particular organometallic compounds of metals of groups VIa, VIIa or VIII of the Periodic Table, especially chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, cobalt or nickel, technetium or rhenium.

The ligands of these organometallic compounds can be very varied, in particular CO, CS, CSe CNR₁, P(R₂,R₃,R₄) or cyclopentadienyl, R₁ being especially an alkyl radical or --COR₅ and R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ being especially substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or phenoxy radicals, substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₇ alkyl or alkoxy radicals or alternatively a halogen atom, it being possible for R₅ to be --N(CH₂ CH₂ Cl)₂.

Amongst these organometallic compounds, the grafts of the following formula must be mentioned more particularly:

    M(CO)(L')(L"),

in which M is a metal of group VIa and L' and L" are independently ligands mentioned above, for example Cr(CO)₃, Cr(CO)₂ CS, Cr(CO)₂ CSe, Cr(CO)₂ CNCOφ, Cr(CO)₂ Pφ₃, Cr(CO)₂ P(Oφ)₃, Cr(CO)₂ PF₃, Mo(CO)₃ or W(CO)₃.

These organometallic compounds are more particularly intended to be attached to an aromatic ring of the estrogen compound.

It is also possible to attach to estrogens or estrogen derivatives, in particular if the latter contains a triple bond, grafts of the formula:

    (M'M")(L),

in which M' and M" independently represent a metal of group VIa, VIIa or VIII, in particular manganese, cobalt, nickel or molybdenum, and L represents ligands which can be chosen as indicated above for L' and L", for example Co₂ (CO)₆, Co(CO)₃ NiCp, Co(CO)₃ Mo(CO)₂ Cp or Mn(CO)₄ NiCp (Cp:cyclopentadienyl).

Amongst the above compounds, those of the formula: ##STR1## in which R is a protecting radical or a hydroxyalkyl group and X is an organometallic compound have proved to be of particular interest, especially when R is a silyloxy radical or a radical HO(CH₂)_(n) --, n being between 1 and 7. ##STR2## wherein R and R' and X may ahve the meaning given for R and X in the previous formula and R" is preferably a HO(CH₂)_(n) --radical, n being between 1 to 7.

The compounds according to the present invention can be prepared by known processes, in particular by reacting the corresponding organometallic derivative with the estrogen compound or the derivative of the estrogen compound. Of course, if necessary, some of the groups of the estrogen compound can be protected, in particular by silylation, and again this can be carried out by known processes.

The present invention also relates to the application of these compounds to the determination of hormone receptors by infrared or Raman spectrography techniques in particular.

In this type of process of detection and determination, the compounds according to the present invention are brought into contact with the samples carrying specific receptors and the presence of the compounds according to the present invention, attached to the hormone receptors, is detected by infrared or Raman spectrography by means of their band having a frequency in the region of 1860 to 2000 cm³¹ 1.

As will be shown in the examples below, this process makes it possible to detect very small amounts of compounds without resorting to radioactive products, the disadvantages of which are well known.

Furthermore, the process of determination developed in this way falls perfectly within the range of sensitivities required for the present applications, namely, in particular, the detection of primary breast cancers.

This process has the additional advantage of only requiring a very short measurement time (about 1 hour).

The solvents are designated as follows: ether=E; petroleum ether=Ep. The NMR spectra were run on a VARIAN EH 360 instrument.

EXAMPLE 1

(a) Synthesis of monosilylated β-estradiol

In a round-bottomed flask purged with nitrogen, 1.2 g (2.5.10³¹ 2 mol) of a 50% dispersion of NaH are suspended in 40 ml of THF. A solution of 5.54 g (2.10⁻² mol) of estradiol in 40 ml of THF is then added slowly. After half an hour, 3.5 g (2.33.10⁻² mol) of t-BuMe₂ SiCl are added to the reaction medium in the solid form and the flask is rotated for 3 hours. The mixture is then poured cautiously into iced water, after which the product is extracted with CH₂ Cl₂. After washing and evaporation of the solvent, 7.86 g of a white solid are obtained. Recrystallization from petroleum ether readily gives 5.7 g of the compound of the formula 1; melting point: 158° , yield: 73%, white crystals.

Analysis: C₂₇ H₃₈ O₉ CrSi, found C 74.95; H 9.97;

calculated C 74.57; H 9.92.

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=7.2 d, 6.7. dd, 6.61 d; Meδ=0.86 s;

Me₂ δ=0.23 s; t-Bu δ=1.03 s. ##STR3##

(b) Complex formation with monosilylated β-estradiol

3.2 g (8.2.10⁻³ mol) of mononsilylated β-estradiol prepared under (a) and 3.7 g (1.6.10⁻² mol) of Cr(CO)₆ are placed in a 250 ml round-bottomed flask together with 150 ml of freshly distilled dibutyl ether. The mixture is heated under reflux, under a nitrogen atmosphere, for 8 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude reaction product, which weighs 6.18 g and is a yellow solid, is chromatographed on a column of silica gel 7734 with a 1:1 mixture of E and Ep as the eluent.

The following are isolated:

top fraction: product 2, 1.27 g, yield: 29%, melting point: 220° (C/Ep), yellow crystals.

Analysis: C₂₇ H₃₈ O₅ CrSi, found C 61.82; H 7.27

calculated C 62,05; H 7.33

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=5.76 d, 5.03 dd, 4.97 d;

Me δ=0.73 s; Me₂ δ=0.20 s; t-Bu δ=0.90 s;

bottom fraction: product 3, 1.8 g, yield: 41.5%, melting point: 179° (E/Ep), yellow crystals.

Analysis: C₂₇ H₃₆ O₅ CrSi, found C 62.00; H 7.30

calculated C 62.05; H 7.33.

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=5.65 d, 4.96 d, 4.90 dd;

Me δ=0.83 s; Me₂ δ=0.26 s; t--Bu δ=0.96 s. ##STR4##

EXAMPLE 2

(a) αcomplex of disilylated β-estradiol

The title complex is obtained by silylating compound 2 with excess NaH and excess silane chloride.

Monosilylated estradiol complex 2: 770 mg (1.4.10⁻³ mol), NaH: 600 mg (1.2.10⁻² mol), t-BuMe₂ SiCl: 900 mg (6.10⁻³ mol).

After extraction with ether and evaporation of the solvent, 1.9 g of a yellow solid are obtained, which is purified on a column of silica gel 7734 with a 1:7 mixture of E and Ep as the eluent.

0.9 g of product is finally isolated; yield: 96% melting point: 225° (E/Ep), yellow crystals.

Analysis: C₃₃ H₅₂ CrO₅ Si₂, found C 62.32; N 8.27

calculated C 62.22; H 8.23.

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=5.80 d, dd, 4.97 d; Me δ=0.73 ; s; Me₂ δ=0.26 s, 0.09 s; t-Bu δ=0.96 s, 0.90.

(b) βcomplex of disilylated β-estradiol

The procedure is identical to that used for its diastereoisomer. Starting from compound 3, the product is obtained with a yield of 93%; melting point: 253° (E/Ep), yellow crystals.

Analysis: C₃₃ H₅₂ CrO₅ Si₂, found C 62.23; H 8.21;

calculated C 62.22; N 8.23.

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=5.66 d, 4.94 d, 4.87 dd; Me δ=0.75 s; Me₂ δ=0.21 s, -0.05 s; t-Bu δ=0.90 s, 0.83 s. ##STR5##

EXAMPLE 3

Synthesis of compound 5

A solution of 0.52 g (10⁻³ mol) of the αchromium tricarbonyl complex of monosilylated estradiol (compound 2) in 150 ml of benzene and 25 ml of cyclooctene, into which a stream of nitrogen is bubbled, is irradiated for 3 hours. 1 g of P(Ph)₃ and 25 ml of CS₂ are then added and the mixture is heated at 50° for 11/2 hours. After filtration and evaporation, the crude product is chromatographed on a column of Merck silica gel 9385 with a 3:2 mixture of E and Ep as the eluent. 60 mg of the desired product are finally isolated; yield: 11%, melting point: 142° (E/Ep).

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=5.93 d (1), 5.24 dd (1), 5.11 d (1); Me δ=0.78 s; Me₂ δ=0.25 s; t-Bu δ=0.93 s. ##STR6##

EXAMPLE 4

(a) Propanol ether derivative of estradiol

1.08 g of estradiol (4.10⁻³ mol) are heated under reflux for 15 hours with 320 mg of sodium hydroxide (8.10⁻³ mol) dissolved in 50 cm³ of acetone, 1.4 g of bromopropanol (10⁻² mol) are then added and heating is continued for 2 days.

After filtration and evaporation, the residue obtained is redissolved in CH₂ Cl₂. The solution obtained is first washed with water until the pH of the washings is neutral, and then dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. This gives a white solid, which is washed with pentane. A product mass weighing 1.3 g is finally obtained.

Thin layer chromatography (eluent: E/Ep=2/1) shows that the product is pure (yield: 100%).

Recrystallization from ether gives white crystals; melting point: 168°, , 900 mg.

NMR (CD₃ COCD₃): ring δ=7.31 d (1), 6.83 dd (1), 6.74 d (1); CH₃ δ=0.83 s (3); OCH₂ δ=4.14 t (2).

Analysis: C₂₁ H₃₀ O₃, found C 76.05; H 9.17;

calculated C 76.32; H 9.15.

Mass spectrum: M⁺ /C=330.2197; [α]_(D) ²¹ =70.6 (CH₂ Cl₂, C=0.51).

(b) Complex formation with the propanol ether derivative of estradiol

600 mg of the above compound (1.8.10⁻³ mol), 1.1 g of Cr(CO)₆ (6.10⁻³ mol) and 150 cm³ of dibutyl ether are placed in a 250 ml round-bottomed flask. The mixture is heated under reflux for 6 hours. The solution becomes yellow and clear.

After evaporation, 1.24 g of a yellow oil containing several products are obtained.

Chromatography on thicken plates of silica gel 7731 with a 2:3 mixture of THF and Ep as the eluent makes makes it possible to isolate two products:

at the top: compound 6 , α complex, 270 mg, yield: 32%, yellow solid. Crystallization from E/Ep gives yellow crystals; melting point: 130° .

NMR (CD₃ COCD₃): ring δ=6.08 d (1), 5.40 dd (1), 5.34 d (1); CH₃ =0.67 s (3); OCH₂ δ=4.0 t (2). [α]_(D) ²¹ =41.7 (CH₂ CL₂, C=1.08).

Mass spectrum: 466=M⁺, 382=M⁺ -3 CO, 330-M⁺ -Cr(CO)₃.

Analysis: C₂₄ ; H₃₀ P₆ Cr, found C 61.30; H₆.68 ;

calculated C 61.79; H 6.48.

at the bottom: compound 7, β complex, 210 mg, yield: 25%, yellow solid. Crystallization from E/Ep gives yellow crystals; melting point: 157°.

NMR (CD₃ CD₃): ring δ=6.00 d (1), 5.31 d (1), 5.23 dd (1); CH₃ δ=0.78 s (3), OCH₂ δ=4.04 t (2) [α]_(D) ²¹ =70.0 (CH₂ Cl₂, C=1.08).

Mass spectrum: 466=M³⁰, 382=M⁺ -Cr(CO)₃.

Analysis: C₂₄ H₃₀ O₆ Cr, found C 61.84; H 6.60; ##STR7##

EXAMPLE 5

(ethynylestradiol)Co₂ (CO)₆

Under an argon atmosphere, a solution of 0.6 g of ethynylestradiol (2.10⁻³ mol) in 20 ml of anhydrous ether is added slowly to a solution of 1.05 g of Co₂ (CO)₈ (3.10⁻³ mol) in 10 ml of ether. The reaction is left to proceed for 1 hour, the mixture is then filtered and the solvent is evaporated off. THe crude product obtained is purified on a column of Merck silica gel 8395 with a 1:1 mixture of E and Ep as the eluent. 1 g of the desired product, which is a blood-red solid, is finally obtained. It is difficult to assign an exact melting point because the product decomposes.

NMR (CDCl₃): ring δ=6.63 d (1), 6.70 dd (1), 7.23 d

(1); 3-OH δ=6.21 s (1); CH₃ δ=1.1 (3).

Analysis: C₂₆ H₂₄ Co₂ O₈, found C 53.80; H 4.61; Co 19.70;

calculated C 53.62; H 4.15; Co 20.24. ##STR8##

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation on 6-hydromethyl derivative of 3-benzyloxy 17 βt.butyldimethylsiloxy estradiol tricarbonyl chromium.

The product is prepared according to the following schema.

The suitably protected 3-benzyloxy 17 β-t.butyldimethyl siloxy estradiol tricarbonyl chromium α 14 and β15 derivatives were prepared as follows. Estradiol 11 was complexed by heating with Cr(CO)₆ in dibutyl ether. The mixture of the two Cr(CO)₃ estradiol αand βdiastereomers 12 and 13 was rapidly treated with NaH and C₆ H₅ CH₂ Br. The two 3-benzyloxy estradiol Cr(CO)₃ complexes were separated on a silical gel column (eluent: ether/petroleum ether: 2/1). Each diastereomer was then treated with NaH and tBuMe₂ SiCl to give the products 14 and 15 in 45% yield (ratio:14/15,=56/44 based on isolated complexes). The identification of the diastereomers 14 and 15 has been ascertained by chemical correlation with 3-t.butyl-dimethyl siloxy estradiol Cr(CO)₂ CS "α" for which a X-ray structural analysis has been carried out.

The diatereomers are reacted separately with (Me₃ Si)₂ NHa to avoid removal of the protecting groups in the 3-and 17-positions and formaldehyde in OMSO. Compounds 14 led to complex 16 (56% yield in isolated product) mp. 170° ) with the CH₂ OH group exclusively in the 6 position on the hormone skeleton and anti with respect to the Cr(CO)₃ moiety. A similar regio- and stereospecificity resulted from the reaction of the 62 diastereomer 15 giving rise to 17 (m.p. 188° C.) in 62% yield.

Products such as 16 and 17 might be valuable precursors in current endocrinology problems such as designed fixation of cytotoxic groups, γ-emitting estrogens and affinity markers (17). ##STR9##

EXAMPLE 7

Detection of hormone receptors using the compounds according to the invention pp Various compounds according to the present invention were tested for the ability to compete with estradiol, by means of log/logit curves, as described in Rao et al., Endocrinology, 92, 1229 (1973).

The results are collated in Table I below:

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound       RBA (%)                                                         ______________________________________                                         estradiol      100                                                             ethynylestradiol                                                                              71.4                                                            1              11                                                              2              1.05                                                            3              0.36                                                             4'            no competition                                                   4"            no competition                                                  5              1.5                                                             6              28                                                              7              1.2                                                             8              3.5                                                             ______________________________________                                    

It must be pointed out that the further the RBA value (relative binding affinity) is from 100, the lower the competitiveness of the steroid tested. As a concrete example, it should be noted that a medicament as widely used as tamoxifen (Novaldex) has an RBA of 3%.

On looking at this table, it is found that labeling with an organometallic moiety reduces the competitiveness of the hormone modified in this way.

However, with the exception of compound 3, the compounds according to the invention retain the ability to recognize the receptor to an extent which is totally compatible with the use of these products for analytical purpose.

These complexes of the invention are stable in the solid state and can be kept without difficulty in a non-oxidizing medium.

However, the presence of a phenolic hydroxyl group adjacent to an organometallic group is incompatible with the stability of the product, which rapidly decomposes. In this respect, it should be noted that a compound of the same type as those of the invention has been described by G. Pouskouleli, I. S. Butler and J. P. Hickey, J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem., 42, 1659-1662 (1980), but this is the very case of a compound having a phenol group adjacent to the site where the organometallic compound is attached, which makes this compound unstable.

This table shows that, to obtain a good degree of competitiveness, it is necessary to keep hydroxylated groups in the 3-position or 17-position in these products-for example, compounds 4' and 4" do not exhibit any competition; it is necessary to find solutions which reconcile the two essential requirements above.

As shown by the table, it is firstly possible to carry out the complex formation far away from the phenolic hydroxyl group, for example in the 17 α-position as in compound 8.

It is also possible to protect the group in the 3-position by esterification, for example as in compounds 2 and 3, while at the same time keeping the hydroxyl group in the 17-position free.

Finally, it is possible as it were to "move away" the free hydroxyl group in the 3-position by grafting a hydroxyalkoxy radical in this position, as in products 6 and 7.

The most spectacular result is provided by product 6 (RBA: 28%), in which the grafting of a (CH₂)₃ OH chain in the 3-position, in conjunction with complex formation on the α side with the Cr(CO₃ group, offers an excellent solution to the problem.

EXAMPLE 8

detection of a specific estradiol receptor

The samples used in this example were prepared from uterine cytosols of ewes, partially purified by precipitation with 35% ammonium sulfate solution, this process having the dual advantage of reducing the interference absorbance in the spectral region to be studied and of removing the majority of the non-binding protein associations with the hormone (J. Katnellenbogen et al., "Cytotoxic estrogens in Hormone Receptive Tumors", Acad. Press. London (1980), pages 3-38.)

The samples intended for study by I.R. were prepared using the technique of precipitation with protamine sulfate (A. W. Steggles and R. J. B. King, J. Biochem. 118, 695-701 (1970)), this yielding a white powder which can be used without further treatment.

The attached figures make it possible to understand the applications of the compounds according to the invention.

FIG. 1

I.R. spectrum of the proteins present in the ewe cytosol, purified and treated as specified above. Attention is drawn to the remarkable "window" in the region of 1950 cm⁻¹ and the low absorbance at this point. The remainder of the spectral region is characterized by the presence of broad unresolved absorption peaks (maxima off the scale in the present case for greater clarity). The spectrum and those which follow were obtained using an F. T. Nicolet 6000c I.R. instrument, and the weighed and compressed solid sample is simply carried by micropellets. If the estradiol receptor protein is present in the sample studied, only one labeled ligand resonating intensely and specifically at about 1900 cm⁻¹ will enable it to be detected.

FIG. 2

I.R. spectrum of the modified hormone 2 in solution. The two intense γ CO bands of the A₁ and E modes respectively are seen at 1959.6 cm⁻¹ and 1876.4 cm³¹ 1. This product, which has a moderate degree of competitiveness, was used in the remainder of the experiment reported here.

FIG. 3

The same sample as that of FIG. 1, but treated with the hormone 2. The two peaks are seen below 2000 cm⁻¹. This region has been enlarged for greater clarity. It should be noted that some estradiol receptor is indeed present in the mixture of proteins studied and that it is detectable by I.R. using modified hormones. Because of the concentrations of receptor, a more intense manifestation of its presence is not expected at this level.

FIG. 4

Same sample as that of FIG. 3, obtained after subtraction of the blank (FIG. 1). The result is sufficiently spectacular (compare with the hormone in solution: FIG. 2) not to need any comment.

It should be added that 51 fentomol of receptor per mg of protein were detected here, which represents a totally normal level in cancerology. Below 10 fm/mg of protein, the determination is considered as ER³¹ (sample threshold under consideration), while levels in excess of 100 fnm/mg of protein are common. This technique is therefore within the range of sensitivities required for these delicate analyses.

As a concrete example, it should be noted that 10⁻¹⁰ g of metal was detected here without difficulty (the limit has not been specified), whereas, by atomic absorption, an amount of less than 10⁻⁶ g of metal cannot be detected, even with very stringent precautions. Furthermore, the typical morphology of the curve (characteristic of a C_(3v) symmetry; the slight splitting is due to the spectrum of the solid) constitutes a measure for guarding against possible artifacts. Finally, the presence of chromium in the sample was confirmed by means of independent neutron activation experiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An estrogen complex comprising an estrogen or estrogen derivative complex with an organometallic compound containing at least one free carbonyl ligand, the estrogen complex containing at least one free hydroxyl radical in the 17-position and no free phenolic hydroxyl radical in the α-position to the site where the organometallic compound is attached.
 2. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the estrogen is selected from the group consisting of estradiol, estrogen, 16 α-hydroxyestroil, ethynylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol, hexestrol and derivatives thereof.
 3. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 2, wherein the derivatives of the steroidal estrogens are those which have ethers or hydroxyalkoxy derivatives in the 3-position.
 4. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organometallic compound is a compound of a metal of Group VIa, VIIa or VIII of the Periodic Table.
 5. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 4, wherein the organometallic compound is a compound of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, cobalt and nickel, technetium and rhenium.
 6. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ligands of the metals of the organometallic compound is selected from the group consisting of CO, CS, CSe, CNR₁, CNR₁ P9R₂ R₃ R₄) and cyclopentadienyl, R₁ being an alkyl radical or --COR₅ and each R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or phenoxy radicals and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy radicals and halogen atoms, it being possible for R₅ to be --N(CH₂ CH₂ Cl)₂.
 7. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 6, wherein the organometallic compound is selected from the group consisting of Cr(CO)₃, Cr(CO)₂ CS, Cr(CO)₂ CSe and Co₂ (CO)₆.
 8. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 1 of the formula: ##STR10## wherein R is protecting group or a hydroxyalkyl group and X is a complexing oragnometallic compound of a metal of Group VIa, VIIIa or VIII of the Periodic Table.
 9. An estrogen complex as claimed in claim 8 wherein X is Cr(CO)₃, Cr(CO)₂ CS or Cr(CO)₂ CSe and R is HO(CH₂)_(n) --, and n is an integer in the range from 1 to
 7. 